T&T PM Searching for competitiveness boost

T&T Partnership Government want to boost competitiveness

By William Doyle-Marshall

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the aim of her government is to create an inclusive people-centered society. “We believe that everyone should have an opportunity to contribute to the development of Trinidad and Tobago so our highest mission is the development of our citizens. I understand that many of you have expressed a desire to give back to Trinidad and Tobago and we acknowledge with gratitude hour generosity and loyalty to your Motherland.”

   Speaking to nationals at a farewell reception at the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in Toronto, the Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada for extending the invitation to her for a State Visit to the country. “I am very happy that we were able to sign two agreements – one is in the area of crime and security. Two of the memoranda of Understanding signed between both governments deals with broad areas of security, the penal system, education, disaster preparedness, health care,education and energy.

Nationals of Trinidad & Tobago turned out to meet PM in Toronto.

Denise Herrera-Jackson, CEO, Festival Management Committee, left, Dr.Rita Cos and Councillor Michael Thompson were in a Fairmount Hotel gathering meeting PM Persad-Bissessar.

   The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Ministry of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago reinforces Trinidad and Tobago’s longstanding membership in the Department of National Defence’s Military Training and Cooperation Program.  The cross-accreditation of a Canadian Defence Attaché to the Caribbean nation will serve to further expand defence links between the two countries.

  Emphasizing education is very key to her as a former Minister of Education, the Prime Minister believes it is the key to a better life and the passport out of poverty. The educational memorandum of understanding signed between the University of Trinidad and Tobago and Brock University is a development that grew directly out of a visit to Port of Spain in February organized by Helen Atteck, widow of the late Phil Atteck in observance of the 45^th anniversary of St. Catharines and Port of Spain Twinning relationship. Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines in the House of Commons, called the MoU “a tribute to the work of Phil Atteck and others in in the St. Catharines Twinning Association. We anticipate this spirit will only continue to strengthen our communities.”
   Prime minister Persad-Bissessar and her Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper witnessed the signing of the accord on Parliament Hill aimed at accelerating levels of collaboration between Canada and the twin island Republic. Signatories to the document were Brock University President Jack Lightstone, and Curtis Manchoon, Chairman of the UTT Board of Governors.

   “We look forward to working with the Government of Canada and I think we have a long way to go. We have a history of working with Canada, partnering with Canada, cooperating with Canada and we have this diversity that Canada has that we have also in our own country,” Persad-Bissessar stressed.

   Responding to questions of how can nationals in the Diaspora help the Prime Minister said the transfer of skills and expertise would be appreciated. Acknowledging that nationals who migrated to Canada have grown and learnt much, her government has identified priority areas for development as movements are made to move forward to diversifying its economy away from traditional dependence on oil and gas.

   The People’s Partnership Government is looking at ways to boost the country’s competitiveness and to encourage greater business involvement in the about six sectors. They include Information communication technology, light manufacturing, clean technology to include renewable and alternative energy; maritime industries; the creative industries: fashion, film, animation, music, Carnival arts and Agri-business.

  “We do believe that for sustainable development we must have food security,” Persad-Bissessar continued. Many were alarmed that Trinidad and Tobago was dumping thousands of tons of pumpkin grown by farmers because they had no agro-processing facilities for these products. Consequently the Prime Minister said the agri-business sector has a lot of potential for helping to diversify the country’s economy and help to gain food security so Trinidad and Tobago can be a nation that can feed itself.

May 5, 2013